The October Challenge: The Calm Before the Storm

Okay, okay, here's a challenge everyone can -- and should -- participate in. I was at a department store this past weekend and I saw Christmas displays. Christmas. It's not even Halloween..... I had a moment of panic because I realized that after Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and the start of a brand new year isn't far behind. I love the holiday season, I go all out on the decorating and I enjoy wrapping the packages, hosting parties, attending parties and those sort of things, but at the same time, it can be stressful.

So, and folks I'm telling you, this is as easy as it gets, we need to relish the calm before the storm. Between now and October 31, you are ordered to do something for yourself. Something that relaxes you, makes you feel pampered or something that's just plain fun. Go get a manicure, a pedicure, a massage. Take a heavenly bubble bath in the middle of the day. Splurge on a haircut and color if the budget allows. Whatever floats your boat, as long as it's a treat for you. Easy-Peasy.

Rules are here, but they don't necessarily apply to this challenge because we won't demand photos of you on the massage table or in the bathtub. You can send photos, but simply reporting what you did in the comment section will suffice. Like we said from the outset, we reserve the right to bend the rules....

The prize package will be a gift basket from Bath & Body works. While only a few candidates are in the running to win the total prize package, you should still participate. Who knows, we may have a few surprises in store at the end of the Challenge for runners-up or other participants. 

This year was a learning process, we'll do the 2010 challenge a bit differently, but thanks to all who have played along so far. November and December will feature mini-challenges.

The Challenge is Back: Is "E-Clutter" a Word?

Yes, the challenge is back after a little hiatus. Thank you for your patience. Seems it's a challenge to keep up with the challenge....

Roll up your sleeves, it's time to get to work. This month, we'll tackle electronic clutter, personal and professional paperwork.

2009 SpouseBUZZ Challenge Update

For those of you who participated in the April Challenge, just wanted to let you know that the photos will not be posted until mid-May. I was on the road for most of April and will be on the road for a good portion of May, so I won't have time to do the write-up in the next week or so. This means that those of you who haven't participated in the challenge and/or sent your photos to me get a little breathing room. You're counted as participating as long as you have your photos in BEFORE I post the outcome each month.

May's challenge will be posted when I return from my travels. The April Challenge can be found here.

April's Challenge: Conquering the "Stashes"

Ahhhh, April.... The month traditionally known for spring cleaning. Usually, the cleaning involves stuff that people can see and appreciate. Stuff like windows and shutters, baseboards and blinds, patios and flower beds. Nah, we're not going to do that to you (yet). 

This month, we'll tackle the things that people don't typically see but if they could, it might just horrify you.

The March Challenge: Toughest One Yet? Really......

I thought the March challenge would be the one that everyone would participate in because I thought it was pretty easy and one that didn't require a lot of work. Boy, was I wrong.... Some of you commented on how you hated this challenge and a few wouldn't even participate in it. I thought we'd have 100 participants in this one! Heh. You guys really don't want to tackle the car!  Who knew?

Here are the results:

Challenge Update

As an FYI - I will get the challenge photos from March up, and post the April challenge later this week. Sorry, been on the road, and I'm also trying to figure out my new laptop. And yes, it's a Mac....

February's Challenge: Blissful Bathrooms

The March Challenge was posted last week (and I've already received some photos). Remember that you'll need to participate in all of the challenges from March-December in order to have a shot at winning the grand prize package, which is shaping up to be something, and we're only in the third month of the challenge. The prize package so far includes:

January: A wreath-storage unit, Christmas Card Register and Gift Wrapping Station

February: A $50 gift card to Bed, Bath & Beyond, a $25 gift card to Bath & Body Works and a beautiful, monogrammed cosmetics case

March: An XM Satellite Radio and a box of Car Cleaning Wipes 

Can you imagine what the final package is going to look like? Our winner is going to be a very happy lady!

Click here to read the rules.

Lots of blissful bathrooms now, thanks to the February Challenge. Just take a look:

The March Challenge: Spring Cleaning, With a Twist

Yep, I'm late with this. I went out of town unexpectedly a few days ago and I'm now behind on everything I'm supposed to be working on. Oye! I will have the February photos up this weekend, but until then, it's time for the March challenge.

This just might turn out to be the easiest challenge we have all year. And if so, there's no excuse for not having 100 of you participate this month! Remember, if you have a shot a winning, and you haven't participated up until now, you will need to start now and participate in all of the remaining challenges. The rules are here.

Time's Up. Well, Almost....

Today's the last day to get your stuff in for February's challenge. Well, it probably isn't the last day considering I modified the rules a bit, and there's no way I'll get the post up in the next day or two, so if you get your stuff in to me before the post goes up, you're good to go.

 

Yoo Hoo....

Hey you. Yes, you! Have you tackled those bathrooms yet? If not, you better get busy, only two five days left. I'm sure you don't want to win tons of great prizes, right?

New rule, because I said we could make it up as we go along - as long as you get your report/photos in before I post the results, you can still get in on the action. I won't always get the post up the day after the deadline, so take advantage of my bus-i-ness.

The February Challenge: Functional Bathrooms

First of all, thanks to some very generous donors, we're going to have some incredible prizes in coming months. Trust me on this, you do not want to sit a challenge out. If you do, when you see some of the prizes in this challenge, you will kick yourself for not participating. In December, someone will walk away with a very valuable package. If you didn't participate in January, you can start now because the winner only has to participate in ten challenges, so if someone from January sits a challenge out, you could be the one enjoying the fat prize package.

And remember when I said we reserve the right to change the rules? Well, we're going to offer a prize package, though not nearly as valuable as the winning package, to the person who comes in second place. A consolation prize for sticking to it. Click here to read the rules. 

Now, onto February's Challenge....

In January, you got a jump start on this year's holiday season. Now you're organized and ready to tackle Christmas when it comes. In February, you're going to focus on the potty room and transform it into an organized, functional and clutter-free oasis.

Are you ready?

The January Challenge: You Took It

Thanks to everyone who decided to participate in the 2009 SpouseBUZZ Challenge. January's challenge is over, and kudos to those of you who participated. Several of you took the challenge, but didn't send in photos. You need to send at least one photo in each month per the rules.

I received a lot of email from milspouses vowing to start the challenge in February and that's great because if you missed January's challenge, it's not too late to climb on board. Should one of these ladies skip a month or two, it's anyone's game. Someone is going to walk away with a boatload of prizes. February's challenge will be posted the first week of February, so stay tuned...

If you want to be placed on a mailing list alerting you when new challenges are posted, send me an email and put "2009 Challenge" in the subject line.

For newcomers, click here to read the rules.

Meet January's participants: 

The January Challenge: This December WILL be Better than the Last One

Our first challenge begins now. For background and rules, see here.

We've just wrapped up the holiday season, so now's the time to get that holiday stuff organized and ready for December, 2009. Yeah, I know, you don't even want to look at another Christmas box right now, and some of you may have already taken down your stuff and packed it away, but wait - you're not done yet. Let's suck it up and make this coming December easier than last.

Your tasks (and prize package) are below:

The 2009 SpouseBUZZ Challenge

It seems whether we're reading a book, knitting a project for charity or trying to get fit, we seem do it better as a group. When you're accountable to someone else, the motivation doesn't fade as fast. Plus, we learn great tips from one another in the process. That's why we're starting the 2009 SpouseBUZZ Challenge.

Each month, we'll tackle a new task (or series of tasks) that will focus on making our lives easier and more organized for the long-term. If we do it right, I'll bet we'll end up saving some money in the process, too. The task(s) will be posted at the beginning of the month, and at the end of the month, you'll report on your progress. By tackling small tasks once per month, getting organized and setting up a more efficient household is less overwhelming. 

Here's the best part of the challenge - one lucky person will win a grand prize next January. And by "grand," I do mean GRAND, as in 12 separate prize packages that correspond with each month's task(s). No guessing involved, either. Posted along with the challenge will be a photo of that month's prize(s), so you'll know exactly what you'll be winning if you're chosen the winner. The prize(s) may not always seem grand when looked at individually, but when you add up the collective goodies, our winner will have a great prize package at the end of the year, as he/she will win all 12 monthly prizes.

Contest rules are posted after the jump.